Gerard J. Stegmeier, sales executive, volunteer, outdoorsman

Stegmeier

Gerard J. Stegmeier, 81, of East Amherst, a sales executive at National Gypsum, died Thursday, June 14, 2007, atVeterans Administration Hospital after a long illness.

Born in Buffalo, he received a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1950 from the University at Buffalo.

He worked for 45 years at National Gypsum as a sales executive. He bypassed numerous opportunities to move into senior management, choosing to work with and provide solutions for customers in the field. He received numerous sales awards, most notably the Chairman's Award for outstanding sales executive in 1978 and the President's Award for highest sales volume.

He was an avid outdoorsman and owned and operated Evergreen Trails in Angelica. The organization developed land into campsites and hunting grounds by making roads, bridges and other necessary infrastructure. He provided the opportunity for hunters and Scout troops to use the facilities at minimal or no cost.

Mr. Stegmeier was well-known for his generosity to those in need, including retired clergy, Scout troops and churches. Mr. Stegmeier organized a group of volunteers to rebuild the roof of the chapel of the Scout Haven Boy Scout Troop in Allegheny, personally donating the materials and reaching out to skilled craftsmen for assistance. He purchased statues for St. Michael's Church in Angelica. He contributed regularly and was an avid supporter of St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute and the O'Hara residence for retired clergy.

He was a past president of the Hartford Homeowners Association advocating to municipalities for improvements for the community and bringing together other residents to take on projects.

He was a Fourth-Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Tonawanda Sportsman's Club. He was on the advisory board of Mel Ott Little League.

A disabled veteran of World War II, Mr. Stegmeier joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943. He was honorably discharged with a rank of sergeant in 1946.

Through his life, he was active at St. Leo the Great Church, St. Pius Church, and St. Mary Church (Swormville) as an usher, member of the Holy Name Society and St. Vincent De Paul. At St. Leo's, he was also Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 199. At St. Pius, he organized a volunteer committee to replace the ceiling and roof in the rectory, donating the materials and most of the skilled workers. At St. Mary's, he was a religious education teacher and adult altar server.

Mr. Stegmeier is survived by his wife of 57 years, the former Mary Dietrich; a daughter, Suzanne, and a son, Gerry, both of Tonawanda; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 23 at St. Mary Church of Swormville, 6919 Transit Road, East Amherst.